Elevator control system



June 30, 1936. E R BUTUSOV Re. 20,023

ELEVATOR CONTROL S Y5 TEM Original Filed Dec. 22, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTOR June 30, 1936. E" R BUTUSOV Re. 20,023

Y ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed Dec. 22, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J E '/P. 5 f 0 i WITNESSES: F/ g- Z. u usvv, gv s $9 1444 Fred C, fc/rmann, Adm/h/sfmfor 1'6 M BY ATT NEY June 30, 1936. E. P. BUTUSOV Re. 20,023

ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed Dec. 22, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F 3. Emj/ P Bufusov, Deceased WITNESSES:

m v INVENTOR fM (p w 7 red C fc/rmanm/ldm/nisfralb/ June 30, 1936. v E. P. BUTUSQV R6. 20,023

ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed Dec. 22, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 M AT 0% Reissued June 30, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM vania Original No. 1,946,777, dated February 13, 1934,

Serial No. 503,936, December 22, 1930. Application for reissue July 9, 1935, Serial No. 30,558

32 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in elevator control systems, and the like, and more particularly tomeans for selecting and calling a car.

Where the elevators are grouped in banks and a passenger presses a button, say for a down car, in the former systems, the floor light will be flashed by the first car that approaches the floor, but the passenger does not know which floor light is going to be flashed until the car is almost at the floor, and may be standing at the opposite end of the bank when the car arrives. Therefore an object of this invention is to provide means whereby the act of pressing the button will select a car, or the nearest car and the corresponding floor light will immediately be lit so that the passenger can go at once to the door for that elevator.

Further objects are to select and lock up the signals so that they cannot be affected by any other car, and also to place the signals under the control of any one in the elevator so that they may be disconnected at will.

Further objects are to provide a simplified form of selector for accomplishing the desired results, and other objects and advantages will become apparent when the invention is more fully understood from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an illustrative embodiment of the invention in a non-automatic elevator system is shown:

Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3 combine, in the same order, to form a circuit diagram of the elevator system.

Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of the selector switch with a simplified circuit diagram.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the same.

In the drawings are diagrammatically shown three elevator cars 5, B, and l, and three floors, as the second, third and fourth, the top floors being omitted in order to simplify the description, and any one skilled in the art will readily understand and be able to supply the connections therefor.

The cars are each suspended in their respective shafts by a cable 8, supported on sheaves 9 and Ill, and counterbalanced by the weight H. The sheaves are driven in any well known manner to raise or lower the cars.

To the sheave I8 is positively connected a signal operating shaft l2 which thereby is rotated in accordance with the operation of the car to which it is related. Frictionally mounted on each shaft i2 is a direction switch l3. The cars 5 and 6 are represented in the drawings as rotating their switches [3 in a counter-clockwise direction when they are going down and in a clockwise direction when going up, but car 1 (by reason of the arrangement of its sheave 9) is represented as driving its switch [3 in a counter-clockwise direction when going up and in a clockwise direction when going down. The switch arm I4 is thereby moved between the down contacts [5 and i6, and the up contacts I! and I8.

To the shaft I 2 is geared a long pinion 28 which meshes with a gear 2! which is fixed on the switch-arm shaft 22. The shaft 22 is rotatably and slidably mounted, and is positioned axially by means of the arm 23, which is pivoted at 24 and has a fork 25 which engages in a grooved collar 26 fixed on the shaft 22. The arm 23 is associated with the solenoids 21 and 28 for positioning the switch-arm shaft 22 in accordance with the direction of travel of the related car, the shaft 22 being moved to the left, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, for the down cars, and to the right for the up cars.

The circuits for energizing the direction solenoids 21 and 28 will now be described. Electrical power is supplied from the generator 29 to the positive line 30, and to the negative line 3! and the negative line is connected to each shaft l2 by the contactor 32, the shaft being employed as a conductor to the direction switch arm 14, which connects the contacts [5, I6 in one position and the contacts [1, I8 in the other position. The positive ends of the solenoids 21 and 28 are joined and connected by the Wire 33 to the positive line 30, and the negative ends are connected respectively to the contacts l8 and [6 by the wires 34 and 35.

Thus, when the arm i4 is against the contact [6, current flows from the positive line 35, lead 33, solenoid 28, contact IE, switch arm 14, shaft l2, contact 32, to the negative line 3!. This causes the solenoid 28 to move the lower end of the arm 23 to the right, Fig. 1, and positions the shaft 22 to the left. As soon as the car starts in the opposite direction, the shaft 22 is at once reversed, the connection for the solenoid 28 being broken at contact l6, and the connection for the opposed solenoid being made at contact [8 to the switch arm [4, shaft l2, contact 32, and line 3|.

On each of the shafts 22, one of which is connected to each car, are two groups of oppositely arranged switch arms, the car light switch arm 36, the floor switch controller arm 31, restoring switch arm 38, the floor light switch arm 39, all for the downward movement; and the car light switch arm 40, floor switch controller arm 4|, restoring switch arm 42, and the floor light switch arm 43, for the upward movement of the associated car.

The switch arms 31, 39, 43, and 4! of each shaft 22', are joined and connected to the negative line wire 3| by the connector 44 and wire 45, in the group associated with car 5; and by the connector 45l, in the group of switches for car 6; and connector 41 and lead 48 for the group for car I,

The arms 36 and 40 are connected together and to the car light 50 of the associated car by the hanging line 5| in each case, the car light being connected through another hanging wire 52 to the down leads 54 connected to the plus line 30 in the circuits for cars 5 and I, and directly to the line in the circuit for car 1.

With said switch arms are associated circles of contact points for each floor which are wiped by the arms in correlation with the movement of the car, the circles for one group 36-39 being in spaced relation with the circles for the other group 49-43, so that when the arms of one group are in position to makecontact with the points, the other group is outof contacting relation. The contacts for each car' are designated 58, 59, and 6B for lever 36, and also for lever 40; GI, 52, and 63 for the floor switches 31 and M; pairs of contacts 64 and 55; EB and 51, 58, and 69 for the restoring switches'38 and 42; and the single contacts 10', II, and '12 for the down and up floor light switches 39, 43.

The switch arms are shaped as described in the Patent No. 1,699,685, 'so that, for example, when the corresponding car is moving down, contact is made in the respective switches according to the position of the car.

At each'floor is provided a push-button switch 74 for signaling the cars going down, and I5 for up cars; and related with each floor isprovided a car-operated floor switch I5 for down cars, and 11 for up cars, and a car selector switch or commutator' 18 for up and I9 for'down; and also an up floor light and a down floor light 8I, for each car.

The push buttons 14 are normally open and are connected at one side to the negative line wire 45, and the buttons I5 to the negative line wire 48; and when a button is pressed contact is made to a finger 82 and to one terminal of the push-button switch-operating solenoid 33 which is connected by the lead84I' to the positive wire 54' This attracts thepush-button switch arm 54 from normal position against the restoring magnet 85 into contact with the switch point 85, the spring detent finger 81 being'constructed to yieldably hold the arm in either position after the current is broken in either solenoid B3 or 85, whichever has last been energized to move the arm.

The lead 84I at each push button is also connected to the switch arm 84 and one terminal of the solenoid 85, the other terminals of the solenoids 85 being connected for the second fioor by the wire SM and connectors B'Il to the contacts 69 of each of the down restoring switches 38. The solenoid 55 at the third floor is similarly connected by line 88 and connectors 83 to contacts 61; and at the fourth floor the corresponding solenoid 85 is connected by the line 89I and jumper 99 to the contacts 65 of switches 39. The solenoids 85' of the up switches I5 are similarly connected by lines '9I, 92 and 93 to the similar contacts '64, 65; 68 of the up switches 42.

The points 86 of each push button are connected by lead I00 to a contact I9I of the corresponding selector switch; and the contact IElI is normally connected with the contact I92 by the switch arm I53 which is pivoted at I94 and urged counterclockwise by the spring I95. The contact I52 of each selector switch is connected through the repeat switch IE5, solenoid I97, the opposite terminals of the solenoids IEI'I being joined by a jumper I59 to the wire I58, for the down switches, which connects to the contacts I5 of the reversing switch, and for the up switches I9 by the wire I59 to the contacts I'I. Thus, when a button is pushed, the solenoid Iii! corresponding to the floor and direction desired is energized and the selector switch set into operation, as will be described below.

The cars also have a control over the calling and signal circuits through the floor switches I6 for down cars and IT for up cars. The switches I6 and I! each have a solenoid IIG, which attracts a plunger III to which are connected the relatively insulated cross switch elements H2, H3, and I I4, and the plungers are normally drawn to the right, or left, and the switches closed by the springs H5. One terminal of each solenoid 5 I0 is connected to the plus line 30. The opposite terminals of the downfloor switch for the second floor are connected by line II6-and jumpers II1 to the second-floor contacts 63 of the switches 31; the solenoid H9 of the down floor switch for the third floor by line H8 and jumpers IIS to switch 31, contacts 62; and the solenoid H0 01 the down floor switch of the fourth floor by line I29, jumpers I 2| to contacts SI of the floor switches 31.

The up floor switches have their solenoids Ill! similarly connected to the line 30, and the opposite terminals are connected for the second floor by line I22 and jumpers I23 to the second floor contacts SI of the switches 4|; for the third floor by line I24 and jumpers I25 to contacts 62; and for the fourth floor by line I26, jumpers IZ-I, to contacts 63 of said switches-4|.

Thus when a car is nearing a floor, the switch arm 31 or 4!, depending upon the direction of the car movement, contacts with the points GI, 62 or 63, and closes a circuit, as for car 5 going down, from positive line 30, through secondfloor switch solenoid I I0, line H5, jumper III, through switch arm 31 associated with car 6, line 45I to the negative line 3|. This, as shown in the drawings, has opened the second down floor switch elements I I2 by attracting the plunger I I I against the action of the spring II5. With the cars position'edas shown in the drawings with car 5 going down at the fourth floor, car 6 down at the third floor, and car I going up at the third floor, the down floor switch at the fourth floor has been opened by car 5, the down floor switch for the third floor has been opened by car 6, and the down floor switch for the second floor is closed because no down traveling car is in the second-floor Zone. Then, as shown in Fig. 3, the up floor switches are closed at the second and fourth floors and are in normal position, and the third up floor switch has been opened by the switch 4| of the car I.

The switch elements H2, H3, and H4 of the two lines of floor switches I6 and 1'! are respectively interconnected by the lines I39, I3I, and I32, so that when all the switches in either line are closed a continuous interconnection through said lines is made from one floor to the next, and when any switch is opened by a car the interconnection is broken to the floors above, by down traveling cars, and to the floors below by up traveling cars.

The selector switches 18 and 19 are similar in their mechanical construction, which will now be described more particularly with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, like reference characters for like parts being applied to the circuit diagram figures. On an insulated base I34 is fixedly mounted a post I35 on which the switch arm I35 is pivotally mounted. Said arm is pivotally connected to the plunger I31 of the solenoid I 01 to move the arm against the action of the spring I38, anchored to the base I34, away from its normal position, in which the end I40, pivotally connected to the main portion of the arm, is against the stop pin I4I, fixed in the base. The end I is normally biased to the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 4 by the spring I42.

Mounted on the base in a circle in co-operative relation with the end I40 of the switch arm I35 is a plurality of stands C, comprising three spring contact fingers I43, I44, and I; stands C5, C5, and C1 being, respectively, for the cars 5, 5, and I.

The switch arm I03 is pivotally mounted on the base and similarly connected to an iron solenoid plunger bar I45 which extends underneath the arm I40, normally spaced therefrom, and the bar is normally moved to close the switch I03 by the spring I05. The opposite end of the bar I45 extends into a solenoid I41, mounted on the base. The pivoted arm portion I40 sweeps between and in contact to connect both the fingers I43 and I44 as the switch arm is swung over by the solenoid I01. But when the bar I46 is magnetized by the flux in the solenoid I41 the arm I40 is pulled down away from finger I43 to depress the middle finger I44 into contact with the finger I45, as shown in full lines in Fig. 4. This fullline position is indicated in the diagrams in the fourth-floor selector switch 19 in Fig. 3, and in the second-floor down selector switch 15 in Fig. 1,

by shortening the arm so that it connects the contacts I44 and I45 of the stack with which the arm is instantaneously in contact, it being understood that otherwise the arm only connects the contacts I43 and I44.

The arm I35 has a finger I40, projecting below the pivot I35, which extends between the arms I49 and I50 of the bifurcated repeat switch lever I5I which is pivotally mounted on the base I34. Normally the finger I48 is against the arm I49, in which position the lever I5I is held by a spring detent finger I52, mounted on the base. The finger I52 has an angular projection I53, on one side or the other of which is engaged the end of the cross bar I54, in either of the two positions of the switch, the bar I54 being rigidly secured to the lever I5I. The opposite end of the bar I54 oscillates between a stop I55 fixed on the base, and a binding post contact I55, also fixedly mounted on the base.

The binding post I55 is connected by the wire I51 to one terminal of the arm-operating solenoid I01, and the switch arm I5I is connected by the wire I58 to the contact I02. The terminal of the solenoid I41, opposite to the terminal connected to the line I00 is electrically connected by the flexible wire Ia to the arm end I40, so that current can fiow from the solenoid to the fingers I43, I44 or I44, I45, with which the arm may be in contact.

In operation, the repeat switch I05 acts to break the connection to the solenoid I01 at the binding post I55. The finger I48, when the lever I35 is pulled across the last group of fingers C4, strikes against the arm I50 and rotates the lever I5I, so that one end of the bar I54 moves across the point of the projection I53 and engages with the outer side thereof, the opposite end of the o bar being swung away from the post I55 and against the stop pin I55. Then as the spring I38 pulls the lever I36 back to starting or normal position with the end of the arm against the stop I4I, the finger I45 strikes the arm I49 and rotates 1-) the lever I5I back to normal position to restore the contact with the binding post I55 from the wire I58.

The functioning of the selector switches will now be more fully described with reference to the 15 circuit diagrams of Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3. In each car is provided a hand-operated switch I 50 for controlling down signals, and I5I for up signals or signals from the floors above, and these switches are normally closed.

Referring to the down selector switches 18, Fig. l, in each switch the upper contact fingers I43 of the C1 groups are connected by a wire I52 to the wire I30 below the corresponding floor switch element H2; the upper fingers I43 of the next groups, C5, by awire I53 tothe wire I3I on the lower side of the corresponding floor switch element II3; and the contacts I43 of the next group C5 are similarly connected by a wire I54 to the connectors I32.

The middle contact fingers I44 of the groups C1, C5 and C5, in each switch 18, are connected, respectively, by the wires I10, "I, and I12 to the one terminal of the down lights 8| at the floors corresponding with each of said switches. The opposite terminals of all the floor lights 8| are connected to a wire I13 which is connected to the riser line 54, and hence to the plus line 30.

The middle contacts are also connected for energizing the car lights, as follows: In the C5 groups the lead wires I12 of said contacts are each connected by a wire I15 to one of the contacts 58, 59 or 50 of the car light switches 35 corresponding to car 5, the contact I44 at the second fioor being connected to switch contact 50; the contact I44 at the third floor to contact 59; and the contact at the fourth floor to 58, so that the car 5 will energize the down lights at the fioors in succession at which down calls are registered as the car moves down. 50

The middle contacts I44 of the C5 groups are similarly connected in succession by the wires I15, leading from wires I1I, to the contacts of switch 35 for car 5, Fig. 2; and the middle contacts of the C1 group are similarly connected by 55 wires I11, leading from wires I10, Fig. 3, to the contact points of switch 35 for car 1, this arm of this switch being moved out of engaging relation because the car is going up.

The middle contacts control the car lights and 60 the fioor lights through the car-operated switches 35, which connect the middle selector switch contacts through the respective car lights to the positive line 30.

The bottom contacts I45 are for locking the 05 switch arm I40 in selective position, and are connected as follows:

The bottom contacts I45 in the C5 groups are each connected by a jumper I18 to the riser line I19; contacts I45 in the C6 groups by a jumper I to line I8I; and contacts in the C1 group by jumpers I82 to line I83. To the line I19 is connected a wire I85, which is looped in the shaft and connected to the contact of the car switch I50 of car 5. Line I8I is connected by wire I85 75 to the contact of the switch I69 in car 6; and line I83 is connected by wire I81 to the contact of switch I69 in car 1.

The levers of switches I66 and I6! in each car are connected, respectively, to the looped wires I88 and I89, which are joined by the jumper I90 to the downwardly extending portion of the negative line 3I for car by the riser line IE to line 3| for car 6; and by the jumper I92 through riser 48 for car "I.

The contacts I43 are also connected to the contacts of the down floor light switches 39, so that the connection to the negative line is controlled by the movement of the car. These con nections are as follows: The connectors I32, which, as described above, are connected at each floor by leads I64 to the contacts I43 of the switches C5 of the same floor, are connected below the second-fioor switch element I I4 by line I93 to the contact 12 of switch 39, from below the thirdfioor switch by line I94 to contact H; and from below the fourth-floor switch by line I95 to contact 10.

The line I3I, and hence the top contacts I43 of the switches C6 are connected from below the second, third and fourth floor switch element I I3, respectively, by lines I95 which connect from lead I63, and hence from the floor connector !3I below the second-floor switch II3, to the car 6 floor-light switch 39, Fig. 2; by line I91 from below switch element I I3 at the third floor to contact H; and by line I98 to contact of the same switch.

Then the contacts I43 of the switches C1 are similarly connected from below each corresponding floor switch element II I to contacts 12, H, and 16 of the floor-lights switch by leads I99, 209, and 23.

This completes the circuits for the down cars, which will now be briefly reviewed. It can now be seen that the middle contacts I44 at each floor are connected through the respective floor light BI to the positive line, traced as follows: contact I44, lead I12, light 8I, bus line I13, forming a common return for all of the same floor lights, and connected to positive wire 54 for the car 5 switches; for the car 6, contact I44 in the C6 switches, lead IN to light 8I for car 6; and from contact I44, lead I16, to the down light 8| for car 1; and these contacts in each group are also connected to the car light switch 36 with which the particular contact is related, traced as follows: from contacts I44 in the groups C5 by wires I to the respective contacts 58, 59 or 60 in the switch 36 for car 5; in group C6 by wires I96, I91 or I98 to the corresponding contacts in switch 36 for car 6; and in group 01 by the wires I99, 290 and I to the corresponding contacts in switch 36 for car 1. Since each contact arm of the car-light switches is connected to the corresponding car light, Iine 5|, light 59, line 52, positive wire 54 at each car when the negative line is connected to any one contact I44, the light for the corresponding floor and also car will be flashed, and also the car light through the control of the car-light switch. That is, the floor light and the car light will thereby be selected. The contacts I are each permanently connected through to the corresponding car switch I and negative line, a contact for each car being provided in the selector switch at each floor. Contacts I43 are also connected through the switch elements II2, II3.or H4 at the corresponding floor to the floor above, and on to the succeeding floors until an openswitch is met and the connection stopped. Between each floor the contacts I43 for the switches C5 are connected to the corresponding points of the floor switch 39 for car 5, lines I93, I94, I95; and likewise from between each floor or below the corresponding floor switch elements II3, the top contacts for the switches C6 are connected to the corresponding points of the switch 39 for car 6; and likewise the top contacts for the switches C1 to the floor switch for car 1; and the arms of all the floor switches are permanently connected to the negative line. Accordingly, to make a connection from the negative line through the top contacts I43 to middle contacts I44 to light the car and floor lights which are always connected at one side to the plus line, the proper connection must be made through the car-light switch and floor switch, for the car light, and through the floor-light switch and the floor switch for the floor light.

The bottom contacts I45 are permanently connected through the corresponding car switches to the negative line so that connections to the middle contacts for lighting the lights may be made from the bottom contacts, as well as the top contacts.

The remaining circuit connections for the upward motion of the cars are substantially in duplicate of the connections just described for the down cars and the functioning is the same except in ,the difference in direction of the car travel; and the two systems are substantially independent of each other, the controls being changed from one system to the other by the reversing switches.

Now will be described the operation when a push button is pressed at any floor for a car in either direction, as, for example, the second-floor down button, as shown in the drawings, in order to select and hold the nearest car in any of the elevator shafts, and to light the floor light at the shaft for that particular car and none other.

As the cars are traveling up or down the normally closed floor switches are being opened accordingly. When a car is approaching a floor, as, for example, the car 5 moving down to the fourth floor, the solenoid 28 has been energized to place the arm I4 of the reversing switch in contact with the points I5 and I6, the circuit for the solenoid being closed through contact point I6 to the shaft I2. of contacting position and the down switches are in position to make contact. The switch 39 closes to contact 16, the switch 31 closes to contact 6i, and the switch 35 to contact 59; the restoring switch being ready to connect contacts .1

64 and 65 as the car leaves the floor and the other switches open.

The floor-light switch makes a negative line connection to line I32 below the fourth-floor switch element H4, or between the fourth and r'a-z third floor switch elements I I4, so that the connection is stopped if these floor switches are open, as shown. This connection traces as follows: negative line 3|, leads 45 and 44, arm 39, contact 10, lead I95, fourth-floor wire I32. From said wire I32, the lead I64 connects to the top contact I43 of the C5 switches on that floor related with car 5. This energizes said contact; and as the car moves down, the similar contacts in group C5 are energized at each floor. But if the adjacent floor switches are closed the middle contacts in the next floor switches in the group C5 will be energized until an open floor switch breaks the connection.

In this position of the car 5 the floor switch The switches 49-43 are out controller 37 makes connection from the negative line, to contact point 6i, lead I2I, line I26, solenoid H6 at the fourth-floor switch, and to the positive line 30. This has only the eirect of opening the floor switches H2, H3, H4 at that floor, and the switches remain open until the car moves down and the contact at 6I is broken, allowing the spring I I5 to close the switch. Also, any of the cars in the same position will similarly aifect the floor switch. Then the car-light switch 36 makes a connection from plus line 30, lead 55, connection 52, through light 50, line 5I, switch arm 36, contact 59, corresponding line I15, through junction point on line I72, to contact I44 of the group C5 at the third floor. This also makes a connection from line I12, down light BI, and back to the plus line, which is of no effect, the main efiect being that the car light is connected up to said contact ready to be energized when the related contact I 43 is energized from the negative line, as described above.

Thus in the clown circuits, with the cars 5 and 6 going down as shown, the down floor switch at the fourth floor is opened by car 5, and the down floor switch at the third floor is opened by car 6. This circuit is traced as follows: negative line SI, lead 45f, Fig. 2, floor switch 31, contact 62, lead IIQ, line II8, solenoid III! at the third floor, to plus line 35. This cuts off the top contacts I63 in the third-floor selector switch from any connections to the lower floors through the connectors I33, I 3| or I32; but the connection from the third floor, from below the third-floor switch, to the second-floor switch, is closed because there is no car traveling downward below the third floor.

The operation of the selector will now be described in connection with the series of occurrences which are instituted when a push button is operated, particularly the push button for the down cars at the second floor. When the button is pressed a connection is made from the negative line 3 I, line 45, through the switch, to the contact 82, through the button-switch solenoid 83, through the connector ,84I to the positive line 54, thus completing a circuit through the solenoid 83 for energizing the same and moving the lever S from its normal position toward the solenoid 33, clockwise, into contact with the point 86. In this movement the end of the lever 84 is pulled past the angular end of the detent 8? into engagement with the opposite side thereof so that the lever is held in operative position. This makes a connection from the positive line 54 through the lever 34, contact 85, lead I95, through the lock-up solenoid I41 and connector I60 to the movable end Ils or the selector switch arm I35, where the connection ceases because, in normal position, the selector arm is only in contact with the stop MI. From lead 93 a connection is made to the contact point is i through the switch arm I63 to contact I62, the arm being normally against both of said contacts, and the connection from I62 is made through the lead I55, repeat switch arm I66, contact I55, connector I51, solenoid ID'I, connector I55, to the lead I68. All of the selector oper ating solenoids I51, for the same direction, are likewise connected to the line I88, but the connections from the opposite sides of the solenoids are normally open at the contact 66. From the line I88 the connection is completed through the contact I5, associated with any downwardly-moving car through the corresponding switch arm I4 and shaft I2 to contact 32, and thence to the negative line 3 I. Thus, by pressing the push button, contact is made at 86 for energizing the solenoid ID! for the corresponding floor switch.

When the solenoid I01 is energized, the selector switch arm is drawn across the series of contacts between the contact fingers I43 and I thereof. When the end I46 of the lever moves between the upper and middle contact fingers of the switch group no circuits are completed. These connections are traced as follows: from said contact 13 the line I62 leads to floor connector I30, upwardly through the switch II2 to the corresponding switch which is open at the third floor, then by the lead I52 which is connected to the line I 35 communication is had to the contact 553 of the third-floor switch, and also through the connector 26 3 to contact II of the switch 39 which is related with the car I. This switch is open because the car is moving upwardly. The connections from the contact finger I44 of group 01 lead only to the positive line, traced as follows: the contact, line I'IIJ, over to Fig, 3, through the floor light SI of car I, back through line I13 or common feed wire for all of the floor lights 8|, to the positive line 54, Fig. l. The other connection from line I'II], in Fig. 3, is by the corresponding connector ITI to the point in the switch 36 which is also out of contacting relation. If the contacts are all in normal condition with the top fingers deenergized, the switch arm will sweep completely across the series, and the lower projecting finger I58 will strike the arm I50, of the switch lever I5I, and reverse the position of said switch so that the contact for the switch-operating solenoid IIlI is broken at the binding post I56. The spring I38 will then return the lever to the starting position, against the stop MI, and the finger I48 will strike the opposite arm I49 and reverse the switch I5I and restore the contact at the binding post I56. Since the contact at 86 is held by means of the detent finger 81, the solenoid III! will be reenergized and the operation repeated until a car has energized one of the upper contact fingers. Thus, if all of the cars are going up at any one time, the selector operated for down cars will repeat until the first car starts down.

In the position shown in the drawings, two cars are going down and the selection will be made to the nearest car. This is accomplished as follows: as explained, the floor switches are normally closed. Therefore the switch at each floor up to the nearest car will be closed, and communication thus established from one floor to the next. In the drawings, the nearest car is car 6 at the third floor, and the switch arm 39, of car 6, is making contact from the negative line through the lead 45I to contact 'II, connecting line I97, to the top contact in the group C5 of the third floor, and through the connector I63 to the floor connector line I3I; below the open floor switch I I3, the line I3I leads down through the closed switch H3, at the second floor through the corresponding lead I63 to the top contact of the group C6, and thus energizes that contact.

When the switch arm I40 strikes the energized contact, connection is then made to the corresponding contact I44, lead III, floor light BI at the second floor for the car 6, the opposite side of the floor light SI being connected to the positive line as described. This also completes the circuit for the car signal light 5!], traced as follows, starting in Fig. 2; positive line 36, connector 52, through the loop, through the car light 56, through the down lead 5 I, the switch arm 36, contact 60, line I'II, contact I44, contact I43, and to the negative line, as described.

The negative connection to the arm I40 completes the circuit for the solenoid I41, through the flexible connector I60, solenoid I41, through the closed contact 86 to the positive line. This attracts and magnetizes the solenoid plunger I 46. The plunger pulls the switch arm I 03 out of engagement with the contacts IOI and I02, thus breaking the circuit for the switch-operating solenoid I01. At the same time, the arm I43 is attracted downwardly and pulled away from the top contact I43. This depresses the middle finger I 44 into contact with the lower finger I45, which is connected to the negative line through the car switch, as follows: the contact finger I45, corresponding lead I86, the continuous floor connector I8 I, connector I86, which is looped and connected to the contact of the car switch IEO, for car 6, then continuing through the switch, connector I88, and lead ISI, to the negative line 3|. Thm the signal light and floor light are held under control through the connection 86. When the car passes the second floor, the corresponding switch arm 38 makes the connection between the contacts 68 and 69. This will energize the restoring solenoid 85, the circuit being as follows: positive line 54, lead 8, solenoid 85, line 85I, lead 87!, corresponding to the second-floor, to the contact 69,in the switch corresponding to the car, arm 38, contact 68, corresponding lead I'IB, line I'll to the contact I44 of group 06 of the second floor. Then to the bottom contact I45 lead I88, line IBI lead I86, through the car switch I69, lead I88, connector ISI to the negative line 3I.

It can now be seen that the floor light and car light, after being selected, are disassociated from the selector; the selector is locked in position by disconnecting the operating solenoid I07 and holding the arm against the bar I45 by magnetic attraction; the selected lights or signals are made independent of the operation of any other car. Thus, the floor light for the selected car is lighted and the passenger can go at once to the shaft for that elevator. Other cars may pass the selected car or even stop at the same floor. However the lights are under the control of the car switch so that the car operator can throw 01f the lights and break the connections. In this case the selector switch would restart, because the contact 86 stands closed until opened by the passage of a car, and a new selection would be made.

It is obvious that the control circuit of any automatic elevator system could be inserted in the car light circuit and the elevator called and brought to the floor, and such use of this invention is contemplated, as well as the use in a. nonautomatic system, which was used in the explanation mainly because such a system is somewhat more simple and more easily understood. Hence it is to be understood that the car light circuit represented by conductors 5| and 52 is a means functionally related to the stopping of its car at a floor and which may be utilized either for lighting a preregistered signal in the car or for efiecting operation of a stopping relay or other means for stopping the car at a floor.

While but one illustrative embodiment of this invention has been shown and described many alterations and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed as the invention:

1. In an elevator system for a plurality of cars and floors a car selector for each floor, an open signal circuit for each car, a contact for each of said circuits in each selector, a normally closed floor switch for each floor for inter-connecting said contacts from one floor to the next with the contacts for each car in a separate series, a signal switch operated by each car for energizing the related selector contacts at the floor adjacent the car, and a floor switch controller operated by each car to open said floor switches corresponding to the floors which the cars have passed, and manually operable means for each floor for operating the corresponding selector to successively wipe said contacts so that when connection is made with an energized contact the signal circuit related therewith will be completed to perform its function.

2. In an elevator system for a plurality of cars and floors a car selector for each floor, an open signal circuit for each car, a contact for each of said circuits in each selector, a normally closed floor switch for each floor for inter-connecting said contacts from one floor to the next with the contacts for each car in a separate series, a signal switch operated by each car for energizing the related selector contacts at the floor adjacent the car, and a floor switch controller operated by each car to open said floor switches as the cars pass the corresponding floors, manually operable means for each floor for operating the corresponding selector to successively wipe said contacts so that when connection is made with an energized contact the signal circuit related therewith will be completed, the selector having a holding circuit contact related with each of said contacts, and means operated by the completion of a signal circuit to lock the selector in position and substitute the holding circuit for the selector to maintain the completed signal circuit.

3. In an elevator control for a plurality of floors and cars,a selector for the cars having a series of contacts one of which is related with each car, a signal circuit for each car, means operated by each car for energizing the selector contacts related therewith and thereby partially completing the corresponding signal circuit, and signal circuit completing means for successively wiping said contacts so that the partially completed circuit will be completed when the contact to which it is related is wiped by said circuit completing means.

4. In an elevator system having a plurality of cars operating independently, a signal circuit for each car, a selector switch having a series of circuit contacts for consecutively energizing said circuits, and said switch having a series of selector contacts for affecting said contacts for energizing said circuits and having a series of holding contacts for replacing said selector contacts, means operated by the car for controlling the selector contacts, and means operated by the energization of the circuit contacts for affecting the replacement of the selector contacts by the holding contacts so that when one car is selected said signal circuit thereof is energized and disassociated from the selector contacts.

5. In an elevator control system, a normally disconnected signal circuit for each car, a selector having a series of groups of three superposed contact fingers normally disengaged and insulated from each other, an arm for consecutively moving normally between two of the fingers in each group, a solenoid for so moving the arm, a normally open signal circuit connected to each middle contact finger, means operated by a car for connecting one side of one of said circuits to one side of a power line, the first finger in each group being connected to the opposite side of the line under the control of the car so that said signal circuit will be energized when said arm moves between a finger connected to the one side of the line and a finger connected to the opposite side of the line, the third finger of each group being permanently connected to said opposite side of the line, and means operated by the completion of each signal circuit for moving the arm away from the first finger and pressing the middle finger into contact with the third finger.

6. In an elevator control system for a plurality of cars and floors, a normally disconnected signal circuit for each car, a selector switch having a series of circuit contacts connected respectively with said circuits, a corresponding series of selector contacts and a corresponding series of holding contacts related with said series, said circuits being permanently connected to one side of an electrical source, a switch arm cooperating with said contacts and having a relatively movable portion mounted thereon which is yieldably positioned to be engageable with the circuit contact and the selector contact of each one of the series to connect the same, said portion being movable to disengage from the selector and to engage the holding contact, means controlled by each car for energizing the selector contact related therewith by connecting the same to the opposite side of said source, a manually energized switch solenoid for moving the arm consecutively into relation with the related contacts of said three series, and a holding solenoid permanently connected from said arm portion to said one side of the source for disconnecting said solenoid and attracting said arm portion when energized from an energized selector contact and moving the portion into engagement with the holding contact.

7. In a selector switch, a plurality of groups of contacts, a switch arm movable into cooperative relation with said groups of contacts, the arm having a movable portion mounted thereon which is yieldably held in a position to engage with a particular one of said contacts in each group, an operating solenoid for moving the arm, a switch for controlling the operating solenoid, a locking solenoid connected to open said switch and positioned to attract and move said portion out of the position for engagement with said contact and into a position for-engagement with another of each group, the locking solenoid being energized by said engagement with either of said contacts.

8. In an elevator system for a plurality of cars, a selector switch, a base, a plurality of groups of three contacts insulated from each other and insulatingly mounted on the base in a series, a switch arm pivoted on the base for cooperating with said groups, said arm having a movable portion yieldably held in position to engage with the first and second of each group of contacts, an operating solenoid for moving the arm into consecutive relation With said group, normally closed switch contacts for energization of said solenoid, a holding solenoid having a plunger for attracting and moving said portion out of said position and into a position for contacting with the second and third fingers, when the plunger is magnetized by the energization of the solenoid, the plunger being then moved to open said switch contacts for deenerglzing the operating solenoid, and a means operated by each car connected to energize the first one of each group of contacts, the

holding solenoid being connected to said arm portion and thereby energized when said portion moves into relation with one of the first contacts which have been energized, the holding solenoid being then maintained in energized condition by the connection of the movable portion to the third contact of the same group.

9. In an elevator control for a plurality of cars a manually controlled selector commutator having a series of contacts including a contact for each car, a switch arm included in the selector for consecutively engaging said contacts, means operated by each car for energizing the contact corresponding therewith, and electro-magnetic means energized by the engagement of the arm with a contact which has been energized by a car for disengaging the arm from said contact and stopping the motion of the arm.

10. In an elevator system comprising a plurality of cars operating past a plurality of floors, 0

each car having a light at each floor, a commutator operated by each car, a manually operated commutator at each floor in cooperable relation with said car operated commutators to energize said lights under predetermined conditions, and 2 means included in the manually operated commutators for stopping the operation thereof as soon as a light has been energized and disassociating the energized light from the car operated commutators so that said light will not be interfered with by the operation of other cars.

11. In an elevator system comprising a plurality of elevator cars operating past a plurality of floors, a manually operable car signaling commutator at each floor, a signal commutator operated by each car in cooperative relation with said commutators so that a car is signaled when a manually operated commutator is in a predetermined relation with a car operated commutator, the operation of the signalling commutator being repeated until a signal has been given, and means for discontinuing the operation of the signalling commutator and disassociating the same from the car operated commuators as soon as the signal has been given.

12. In a signalling system for a plurality of cars operating in a hatchway past a plurality of doors, a signal device at each of said fioors for each of said cars, a control device at each of said floors common to all the cars, means responsive to the position and direction of operation of the cars for dividing the hatchway into as many signal zones as there are cars operating in normal spaced apart relation, each of said zones extending from the position of the car with which it is associated to the position of the next car ahead, the position of each of said cars being defined as the next floor at which it can stop, means individual to each car for controlling its associated zone for signal purposes to the exclusion of the cars associated with the other zones, and means responsive to operation of a control device at a floor, the signal zone associated with that floor and the Zone controlling means of the nearest approaching car or energizing only the signal device of said nearest approaching car at the floor of the operated control device.

13. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars past a plurality of floors, a plurality of signal devices one for each car at each floor, a control device at each floor common to all the cars, means responsive to operation of the control device at a floor for immediately energizing only the signal device at that floor for the nearest approaching car when the cars are nor mally spaced apart, and in the event that two cars are approximately equally distant from that floor for immediately energizing only the signal device of one of the two cars at that floor and for determining which car will have its signal energized.

14. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars past a plurality of floors, a signal device for each car at each floor, a control device at each floor common to all the cars and means responsive to operation of a control device at a floor for immediately energizing only one of the signal devices at that floor to indicate which car should answer the operation of the control device.

15. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars in a hatchway past a plurality of floors, a plurality of signal devices, one for each direction for each car at each floor, an up control deviceat each floor common to all the cars, a down control device at each floor common to all the cars, and means responsive to the operation of a control device and to the position of the cars for immediately energizing only one signal device, said signal device being at that floor of the operated control device and for the direction of the operated control device. I

16. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars in a hatchway past a plurality of floors, aplurality of signal devices, one for each direction for each car at each floor, an up control device at each floor common to all the cars, a down control device at each floor common to all the cars and means responsive to the operation of a control device and to the position of the cars for immediately energizing only the signal device of only one of the cars at the floor of the operated control device and for preventing the energization of the signal device of any other car at the same floor for the same direc tion in response to said operated control device.

17. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars in a hatchway past a plurality of floors, means responsive to the position and direction of operation of the cars for dividing the hatchway into a plurality of signal zones, a plurality of signal devices, one for each direction for each car at each floor, an'up control device at each floor common to all the cars, a down control device at each floor common to all the cars, means responsive to operation of a control device for immediately energizing the signal device of the car in the nearest zone in the corresponding direction when only one car is in that zone, and for energizing only the signal device of only one car when a plurality of cars are in said nearest zone, including means for determining which car's signal device will be operated.

18. In an elevator'system for operating a plurality of cars past a floor, a signal device for each car at the floor. a signal means in each car, a control device at the floor common to all the cars, and means responsive to operation of the control device for immediately operating only the signal device corresponding to the nearest approaching car and for operating the signal means on that car as it approaches within a predetermined distance of the floor.

19. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars past a plurality of floors, a plurality of signal devices one for the up direction for each car at each floor and one for the down direction for each car at each floor, means functionally related to the stopping of the cars, one for each car,'an up call registering means for each floor common to all the cars, a down call registering means for each floor common to all the cars,means responsive to the registration of an up stop call at any floor and to the position of the next approaching car for the up direction for immediately operating the up signal device of that car at that floor and for operating the means functionally related to the stopping of that car upon its approach to within normal stopping distance of that floor and for preventing the said registered call from energizing the signal device of any other car or from energizing the means functionally related to the stopping of any other car, and means responsive to the registration of a down stop call at any floor and to the position of the nearest appmaching car for the down direction at that floor for immediately operating the down signal device of that car at that floor and for energizing the means functionally related to the stopping of that car upon its approach to Within normal stopping distance of that floor and for preventing the operated call registering means from energizing the signal device of any other car or energizing the means functionally related to the stopping of any other car.

20. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars past a plurality of floors, a. plurality of signal devices one for the up direction for each car at each floor and .one for the down direction for each car at each floor, an up call registering means for each floor common to all the cars, a down call registering means for each floorcornmonto all the cars, means responsive to the registration of an up stop call at any floor and to the'position of the nearest approaching car in the up direction for immediately operating the up signal device of that car at that floor and for operating some means functionally relatedto the stopping of thatcar at that floor and for preventing the said registered call from operating the signal device of any other car or affecting the means functionally related to the stopping of any other car, and means responsive to the registration of a down stop call at any floor' and to the position of the nearest approaching car in the down direction for immediately operating the down signal device of'that car at that floor and for operating some means functionally related to the stopping of that car at that floor and for preventing the said registered call from operating the signal device or from operating any means functionally related to the stopping of any other car. 7

'21. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars past a plurality of floors, a plurality of signal devices one for the up direction foreach car at each floor and one for the down direction for each car at each floor, an up call registering means for each floor common to all the cars, a down call registering means for each floor common to all the cars, means responsive to the registration of an up stop callat any floor and to the position of the nearest approaching car in the up direction for immediately operating only one up signal device and that for that car at that floor and for operating some means functionally related to the stopping of that car upon its arrival at that floor, and means responsive to the registration of a down stop call at'that' floor and tothe position of'thehearest approaching'car in the down direction for immediately operating only one down signal device and that for that car at that floor and for operating some means functionally related to the stopping of that car at that floor upon its arrival at that floor.

22. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars past a plurality of floors, a plurality of signal devices one for each car at each floor for the up direction and one for each car at each floor for the down direction, an up control device at each floor common to all the cars, a down control device at each floor common to all the cars, a means for each car functionally related to the stopping of that car, means responsive to operation of an up control device at a floor for immediately operating only the signal device at the floor for the nearest approaching car in the up direction for that floor and for operating the means functionally related to the stopping of that car at that floor when it approaches within a predetermined distance thereof, and means responsive tothe operation of the down control device for immediately operating only the down signal device at the floor for the nearest approaching car in the down di rection for that floor and for operating the means functionally related to the stopping of the car at that floor when it approaches within a predetermined distance thereof in the down direction.

23. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars past a plurality of floors, a plurality of signal devices, one for each car at each floor for the up direction and one for each car at each floor for the down direction, means functionally related to the stopping of the cars, one for each car, an up control device at each floor common to all the cars, a down control device at each floor common to all the cars, and means responsive to operation of a control device at a floor for immediately energizing only the signal device at that floor for the nearest approaching car for the direction of the operated control device and for operating the means functionally relates to the stopping of that car at that floor as it approaches within normal stopping distance of the floor.

In an elevator system for operating a p1urality of cars past a floor, a signal device for each car at the floor, means functionally-related to the stopping of the cars, one for each car, a control device at the floor common to all the cars, in responsive to operation of the con trol as for immediately energizing only the signal device corresponding to the nearest apiroaching car and for operating the means functionally related to the stopping of that car at that floor, and responsive to the position of the car at that floor for restoring the first named means to normal condition.

2-5. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars past a floor, a signal device for each car at the means functionally related to the stoppf of e cars, one for each car, a control do he floor common to all the cars, and means responsive to operation of the ontrol device for diately energizing only the signal device corresponding to the nearest approaching car and for operating the means functionally related to the stopping of that car at the floor.

23. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars past a plurality of floors, a plurality of signal devices one for each car at each floor for the up direction and one for each car at each floor for the down direction, an up control device at each floor common to all the cars, a down control device at each floor common to all the cars, an up call registering device associated with each up control device and responsive to operation thereof for registering a stop call in the up direction, a down callregistering device associated with each down control device and responsive to operation thereof for registering a stop call in the down direction, means responsive to operation of a stop call registering device for immediately energizing only the signal device at the floor of the'operated stop call registering device for the nearest approaching car for the direction of the operated call registering device, and means responsive to the presence of the car corresponding to the direction of the registered call at the floor for which the call is registered for cancelling the registered call.

27. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars past a plurality of floors, a plurality of signal devices, one for each car at each floor for the up direction, and one for each car at each floor for the down direction, an up control device at each floor common to all the cars, adown control device at each floor common to all the cars, an up call registering device associated with each up control device and responsive to operation thereof for registering a stop call in the up direction, a down call registering device associated with each down control device and responsive to operation thereof for registering a stop call in the down direction, and means responsive to operation of a stop call registering device for immediately energizing only the signal device at the floor of the operated stop call registering device for the nearest approaching car for the direction of the operated call registering device.

28. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars past a plurality of floors, a plurality of signal devices, one for each car at each floor for the up direction, and one for each car at each floor for the down direction, an up control device at each floor common to all the cars, a down control device at each floor common to all the cars, and means responsive to operation of a control device at a floor for immediately energizing only the signal device at that floor for the nearest approaching car for the direction of the operated control device.

29. In an elevator system for operating a plurality of cars past a floor, a signal device for each car at the floor, a control device at the floor common to all the cars, and means responsive to operaticn of the control device for immediately energizing only the signal device corresponding to the nearest approaching car.

30. In a signal system for a plurality of elevators operable past a floor; a floor lantern at said floor for each car; a call switch at the floor common to the cars; a car selecting means common to the cars; said selecting means being operable to a plurality of positions; each position corresponding to one of said floor lanterns; means responsive to operation of said call switch for causing operation of said selecting means; and means responsive to operation of said selecting means to a predetermined one of said positions for stopping said operation of the selecting means and for operating the corresponding floor lantern.

31. A signalling system for a bank of elevator cars operable past a plurality of floors comprising, in combination, signalling means individual to each floor and to each car, call means individual to each floor, selecting means disposed to be responsive to the operation of the call means at a floor'for selecting the car nearest said floor, means for energizing the signalling means at said floor individual to the selected car, and means for continuously maintaining said signalling means energized when a car other than the se-- lected car becomes the car nearest said floor.

32. A signalling system for a bank of elevator cars operable past a. plurality of floors comprising, in combination, signalling means individual to each floor and to each car, call means individual to each floor, a car selecting mechanism individual to each floor and provided with a plurality of contact members, each contact member being individual to a car, means operable in response to the operation of the call means at a floor to move said selecting mechanism past each of said contact members to select the car nearest said floor, means for energizing the signalling means at said floor individual to the selected car, and means for continuously maintaining said signalling means energized when a car other than the selected car becomes the car nearest said floor.

FRED C. ECKMANN. Administrator of the Estate of Emil P. Butusov,

Deceased. 

